Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District
Programs
AEM
Reafield Farm The Next Generation of the Rea Family
Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) in Washington County is a voluntary, incentive based program that helps farms operate environmentally sound and economically viable business. The program coordinates ag producers, consultants and engineers with agency staff from the SWCD, State Soil & Water Conservation Committee, and NYS-DEC to evaluate, plan, fund and implement the needs of participating farms.
We have been assisting Washington County farmers through the AEM planning process since 1997. Many of the early participants were larger CAFO farms required to comply with state and federal regulations. However, the program now encompasses all levels of agriculture in the county.
AEM links farmers to the following funding opportunities to assist with implementation costs:
- NYS Ag Nonpoint Source Abatement & Control Program
- NYS Farmland Viability Grants
- NYS Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
- USDA Farm Bill programs, such as EQIP and CRP